The Maxwell Club announced on Monday the semifinalists for two of the top college football individual awards, the Maxwell and Bednarik Awards.

The Maxwell Award recognizes the top overall college football player in the country. The semifinalists include 12 quarterbacks, led by Oregon's Marcus Mariota, who has thrown for 2,541 yards with 26 touchdowns and two interceptions. Mariota was also a semifinalist last year, along with Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon, Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty and Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston. Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron received the award in 2013 and is now on the Cincinnati Bengals.

​The Bednarik Award recognizes the best overall defensive player in the country. Clemson defensive end Vic Beasley, Oregon cornerback Ifo Ekpre-Olomu and USC defensive end Leonard Williams are repeat semifinalists. Last year's award went to Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald, who currently plays for the St. Louis Rams.